Fast drying, water permeable padding and immobilization apparatus and method thereof

Abstract

An immobilization apparatus incorporating a water permeable padding design that channels water away from the wearer and a method of preparing an immobilizing apparatus is described. In human or veterinary applications, the apparatus can be flushed with various solutions for cleansing of the limb beneath while avoiding the accumulation of excess moisture. The apparatus can be immersed in water then dried quickly in the open air. Subject invention allows for effective transfer of moisture away from the skin thereby avoiding skin maceration.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to fast drying, water permeable padding, which is utilized in any immobilization apparatus, in particular, an apparatus and method is disclosed for casting or immobilizing any part of a human or animal anatomy.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]There are many types of padding materials currently used under rigid casts or other immobilization apparatuses. These traditional padding materials include cotton, rayon, polyester, polypropylene and other types of synthetic materials. In one method of applying a rigid cast, a tube of stockinet is first applied to the limb followed by a layer of padding. An immobilizing material is next applied on top of the padding and consists of either a Plaster of Paris impregnated substrate, a polyurethane-coated substrate or any other type of bracing or splinting material. Traditional cast underpad is supplied in rolls in widths from 2 to 6 inches. The pu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]A flexible, breathable, water permeable padding utilized in immobilization devices including orthopedic casts or braces is provided. The padding and immobilization device combination incorporates both materials and construction to allow for quick water evacuation, ventilation, and access to the area being immobilized. The padding incorporates a water channeling design which evacuates water while providing open air space around the limb to allow normal body heat to vaporize moisture on the skin. The padding can be applied to any type of synthetic cast or brace or other immobilizing device where water exposure can occur. It allows the synthetic cast or brace wearer the freedom to bathe, shower or swim without any special protective precautions that are currently necessary with traditional padding materials. The padding may be utilized in any immobilization application, even if water exposure is not expected or considered desirable, simply to take advantage of its open, breathable design. Furthermore, this type of immobilization apparatus functions as a skin care and cleansing system to allow a wearer to periodically flush the padding with solutions to stop or inhibit the growth of bacteria and to cleanse the area beneath the padding. Accelerated drying of remaining moisture within the immobilization device can be achieved by using a special external dryer, similar to a hair dryer, or a special attachment which is designed to attach to a regular hair dryer, to blow heated air into the exposed edges of the padding. The efficient circulation of heated air within the padding is made possible by the open internal structural design of the padding itself, which acts in a similar manner to a hot air ducting system.

Problems solved by technology

If the padding becomes wet, it would take many hours to dry, if not days.

In addition, skin maceration could occur which can lead to infection by bacteria or fungi.

The probability for these types of complications is much greater in pediatric, geriatric, and circulatory impaired patients where the patient is unable to convey their symptoms which results in delayed and prolonged treatment.

Drying can take several hours and patient compliance is difficult to achieve.

Since casts are usually worn for periods ranging from a few weeks up to several months, the wearer is constantly faced with the challenge of maintaining their personal shower or bath routine without getting their cast wet.

This approach is cumbersome and doesn't always work that well due to leakage of the seal area.

When water is added to conventional padding on the market today, it tends to compress or “wad up”.

Moreover, water saturated padding will not allow for effective transfer of moisture away from the skin and will lead to skin maceration if the wet padding is worn for extended periods of time.

This product does not allow water to pass through it, but is designed to allow for moisture vapor transmission only.

The use of cast paddings having a “water impermeable, moisture-vapor-permeable film”, as indicated in the four preceding patents, can result in a squishy or water logged feeling against the skin, immediately after the cast is immersed in water.

The padding systems of the prior art rely on water impermeable and moisture permeable films to achieve their end effect, and do not maximize water runoff underneath the cast or brace.

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